April has been a busy month - besides April showers that hopefully will bring plenty of May flowers - the nonprofit sector in Oregon has been practically humming with activity.

Earlier this month, more than 380 participants convened in Ashland for the annual Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference. Launched in 1988, ONLC is a gathering of nonprofit leaders for professional and volunteer development, networking, and the opportunity for nonprofits and funders to connect. It was a great conference - inspiring and relevant - and NAO was honored to host the networking reception and facilitate connections - both for newcomers and regulars! Hats off to the all-volunteer conference steering committee who did a fantastic job! We are proud that Brad Russell, NAO's board president and executive director of the Rogue Valley YMCA, is on the steering committee.

We are pleased to share with you the 2018 Year-End Charitable Giving in Oregon report. The findings are very interesting, surprising in some cases, and give us much food for thought for future planning.

In partnership with the Association of Fundraising of Oregon and SW Washington, NAO conducted a survey to hear directly from nonprofit executive directors and development officers on the results of their fundraising efforts in 2018.

Enhancing Nonprofit Reputation: Four Keys to improve bonds between nonprofits and corporations

Thoughts from: Casey Boggs, President, ReputationUs

Successful nonprofits certainly recognize that partnerships are important. But recently, the importance of corporations working with nonprofits has been proven to successfully enhance a company's reputation. Nonprofits that work to leverage this information can help support their own organization-and strengthen the reputation of their corporate partners, thus creating a win-win partnership. Nonprofits seeking to proactively partner with a business to elevate both organizations' standing in the community can follow these four keys to success: Identify Like-Minded Corporations; Ignite a Conversations; Have Your Numbers In Oregon and Sleek Alignment.

Looking to connect with great candidates to join your organization? Let Mac's List help! Mac's List, a certified B Corp, is a regional job board with a mission to help people build skills, find jobs, and grow sustainable careers. NAO partners with Mac's List to offer NAO members a $15 off discount for their job listings. Mac's List reaches thousands of potential job candidates. Save your organization time and money now with Mac's List and your NAO member discount!

Newly released article! Download Mac's List's free report:
State of the Portland Job Seeker to get an inside view of how to connect with recruitable local talent

Get to Know an NAO Member!

Featured NAO member: Soromundi Lesbian Chorus

Mission: Soromundi comes together in song to create a visible expression of lesbian pride. We strive for musical excellence and embrace our commonalities and differences. Through the power of music and inclusion we effect positive change in our community.

Soromundi, which means "sisters of the world," is the name of a far-off star. The choir is non-audition and open to all women. Soromundi strives for inclusion and accessibility at many levels; our choir is open to all women, every performance is wheelchair accessible and sign-language interpreted, and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Be in the spotlight. Share how your nonprofit is making a difference in your community!

We are excited to offer a spotlight opportunity for NAO's nonprofits members. Share information about your organization, recent accomplishments and how being an NAO member has helped your nonprofit succeed in furthering your mission.

Ever wonder what your employees value most about working for your organization? Here's your chance! Get valuable feedback from your employees by participating in Oregon Business' 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon. As always, there is no cost to participate and organizations may be headquartered anywhere in Oregon.

Harvard Business School Association of Oregon is taking applications for its Community Partners program - Apply by May 13!

Through this program, HBSAO partners with local nonprofit organizations to help them solve a wide variety of managerial, competitive, and analytical challenges. They assemble teams of volunteer consultants, from Harvard and other top business schools, to tackle questions such as: What is the social ROI of our service?; How can we effectively scale our organization? and Where should we invest our limited resources? It's a great opportunity to get some free consulting and develop your support network!

Cushman & Wakefield (NAO Business Verified Members) partners with many local Nonprofits to find affordable space to lease or buy, in locations closest to the people you serve across the state of Oregon. If you are looking for space in Portland, we have three great locations available right now at the Sovereign Building, 2000 SW First Avenue Downtown, and the Design Center in Goose Hollow.

Click on the link below for our contact information, and to explore these opportunities. Feel free to reach out to discuss these locations, or to have a conversation about any other real estate needs you might have. We are always happy to answer any of your questions.

Is your organization looking for office space? We may have the space for you!

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is looking for a subtenant that shares our values and supports the work of nonprofits, whether that be a nonprofit, B-Corp, or other entity. This office space is available now! The office is located in the Riverside Centre just off SW Macadam Avenue in Portland with easy access to public transportation, main roads, and downtown Portland. The 870-square-foot space offers an open floorplan that accommodates between 6-8 workstations. This comfortable and professional hub comes with tall glass windows with a Mt. Hood view and is just steps away from walking/bike paths along the Willamette River. Subtenants have access to shared conference rooms, kitchen, and affordable on-site parking for staff and clients.

Not convinced yet? River Centre also coordinates a rotating food truck service three times a week in our parking lot - and it's been amazing!

Last week Oregon Business highlighted NAO Member Mychal Cherry, Executive Director of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. The article titled 'Downtime with Mychal Cherry' shares great responses to what Mychal enjoys in her less busy moments.

For those working in the nonprofit community, fighting the good fight is getting tougher all the time (via Portland Business Journal)

Nonprofits are finding creative ways to compete for talent, from flexible work schedules to putting a premium on culture. There are even discussions underway about providing housing assistance to help offset Portland's rising cost of living. But the workforce squeeze isn't expected to diminish anytime soon, putting nonprofits in a pinch just as demand for their services increases. Good news for Oregon nonprofits is there is a very powerful demographic shift working in their favor. The state continues to be a popular destination for individuals - millennials, in particular - interested in living their values.

Columbia Bank and NAO are partnering for the 6th Annual Nonprofit Symposium in Eugene! Participants will attend one of two breakout sessions: An Introduction to Integrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Your Organization and Community; or Leadership is More than a Title.

SOLD OUT REGISTRATION

Demystifying Finances for Executive Directors and Boards

Event details: May 2 in Medford, Oregon

NAO event: Member discount up to 50% off

This session will provide an overview of basic financial statements and how to understand them. Participants will dive into the types of information directors and boards should be reviewing. We will also discuss how to effectively work with your finance and accounting team to achieve greater transparency and improved conversation.

This session will provide an overview of basic financial statements and how to understand them. Participants will dive into the types of information directors and boards should be reviewing. We will also discuss how to effectively work with your finance and accounting team to achieve greater transparency and improved conversation.

Most organizations are still functioning on an organization-centric model, where donors are simply the funders, ATMs. Individual donors are a critical component of our fundraising work if they are mission carriers. Nonprofits exist because of the needs of a community and the community contributes (not all financial) in solving a problem. Giving is how we transform the world. Our sector, our communities, our world - they are all interconnected.

The Crook County Nonprofit Resource Round-Up is a learning and networking opportunity convened by the Nonprofit Association of Oregon for nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers to connect, meet funders, and learn about valuable tools and resources designed specifically for nonprofits.

QuickBooks Made Easy is partnering with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to offer this three-part QuickBooks Desktop Edition Made Easy For Nonprofits webinar.
This training material will be presented using QuickBooks Desktop Version for Nonprofits. Some of the presented setup procedures, chart of accounts set-up and financial statement presentations are applicable to the QuickBooks Online version.

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the around the findings of the
Oregon Nonprofit Disaster Preparedness Report and exchange ideas on what steps need to be in place to a) remove barriers to disaster preparedness that nonprofits face, and b) ensure resourcing assistance needed for nonprofits to adequately prepare for major disasters.

Relevant financial information is vital for program staff and other stakeholders to support them in meeting your organization's mission. Communicating this information to non-finance audiences can be a challenge, however. How can you tell the story of your organization's finances in a way that is both understandable and approachable? How do you identify the metrics to share? What format should it take? This session will address all of these questions and give participants ideas of how to communicate financial information effectively.

QuickBooks Made Easy is partnering with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to offer this three-part QuickBooks Online Edition Made Easy For Nonprofits webinar.
This training material will be presented using QuickBooks Online Version for Nonprofits.

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the around the findings of the Oregon Nonprofit Disaster Preparedness Report and exchange ideas on what steps need to be in place to a) remove barriers to disaster preparedness that nonprofits face, and b) ensure resourcing assistance needed for nonprofits to adequately prepare for major disasters.

Have a great idea you'd love to turn into a grant proposal - but not sure how? Join veteran grants pro and grantmaker Maryn Boess, with GrantsMagic U, as she shares the 10 simple, powerful "Magic Wand" questions at the heart of every single grant proposal ... questions that will transform your good ideas into clear, compelling and fundable project plans - and jump-start your grants success!

Take the Fear Out of Feedback: Strengthen Organizational Performance With a Coaching Style of Management

Event details: May 23 in Medford, Oregon

NAO event: Member discount up to 50% off

Many executives wishing to improve their organization's performance don't know where to start. It's common that performance feedback isn't happening regularly outside of the formal review process. Feedback is often seen as a last resort in response to "performance problems" instead of an integral part of a leader's regular interactions with their team. Employees often don't feel empowered to be honest about opportunities for organizational, team, and personal improvement.

Contingency Planning for Nonprofits: Stories and Tools for Central Oregon

Event details: May 29 in Bend, Oregon

NAO event: Member discount up to 50% off

Join us for an in-depth conversation on the around the findings of the Oregon Nonprofit Disaster Preparedness Report and exchange ideas on what steps need to be in place to a) remove barriers to disaster preparedness that nonprofits face, and b) ensure resourcing assistance needed for nonprofits to adequately prepare for major disasters.

Strategic leadership takes ability to gather, energize, and mobilize people with focused intention. This half day work-shop for nonprofit leaders will help you answer these fundamental leadership questions. In this session, we will use a model called the Dialogue Boxes to create and clarify a sense of aim, method, and motive for your nonprofit team. This session will give you a way to focus on what is important and communicate your unique value to your community.

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is the statewide nonprofit membership organization representing and supporting charitable nonprofits of all sizes, geographic locations and missions across Oregon. NAO strives to connect, improve and advance all nonprofits to help build a thriving and vital Oregon.